THE OLD SPIRITUAL ASKS, " WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED OUR LORD?"
THE ANSWER IT EXPECTS IS " YES "I WAS THERE. i SAW IT HAPPEN." NO DOUBT THE WRITER HAD IN MIND BEING THERE IN MEMORY RATHER THAN FACT. HIS QUESTION MAKES A STRONG APPEAL TO TAKE THE EVENTS OF THE CRUCIFIXION PERSONALLY AND SERIOUSLY.
THE NE TESTAMENT ASSURES US THAT AS A BAPTIZED CHRISTIAN WE WERE NOT MERELY SPECTATORS OF THE CRUCIFIXION WE EXPERIENCED IT. IN [ ROMANS 6: ,4,]
ST. PAUL WRITES: " FOR SURELY YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH CHRIST JESUS, WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH HIS DEATH, BY OUR BAPTISM THEN, WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM AND SHARED HIS DEATH, IN ORDER THAT JUST AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM DEATH BY THE GLORIOUS POWER OF THE FATHER, SO ALSO WE MIGHT LIVE A NEW LIFE.
THE APOSTLE USES SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ELSEWHERE IN THIS CHAPTER:
" FOR SINCE WE HAVE BECOME ONE WITH HIM BY DYING AS HE DID, IN THE SAME WAY, WE SHALL BE ONE WITH HIM BY BEING RAISED TO LIFE AS HE Was,"
6:5 " SINCE WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST...." 6:8.
WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED, GOD MADE US SHARE IN ALL THAT CHRIST WAS, SUFFERED AND ACCOMPLISHED. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYSICAL BIRTH, WE SHARE IN "ADAM." [BORN IN SIN.] BY VIRTUE OF OUR SECOND BIRTH IN BAPTISM, WE SHARE IN "CHRIST" [ETERNAL LIFE].
WHEN CHRIST LED A SINLESS LIFE, WE, BY VIRTUE OF OUR BAPTISM, LED IT WITH HIM. WHEN CHRIST WAS PUT TO DEATH TO SUFFER THE PUNISHMENT FOR HUMAN SIN, WE SHARED THAT DEATH. WHEN CHRIST WAS PLACED IN THE GRAVE WHICH SIN BRINGS, WE WENT INTO THE TOMB WITH HIM. WHEN HE ROSE VICTORIOUS FROM THE TOMB, WE ROSE WITH HIM, [EPHESIANS :5,6.]
IN CHRIST, GOD GATHERED THE HUMAN RACE INTO ONE PERSON. HE THEN LET THAT ONE PERSON BE WHAT HE INTENDED THE HUMAN RACE TO BE., AND SUFFER WHAT THE HUMAN RACE TO BE, AND SUFFER WHAT THE HUMAN RACE DESERVES TO SUFFER, IN OUR BAPTISM, GOD MADE US SHARERS IN ALL THAT ONE PERSON WAS, SUFFERED, ENDURED AN CONQUERED. HE "INCORPORATED" US INTO CHRIT SAVING MINISTRY AND MISSION.
BECOME WHAT YOU ARE!
IN CHRIST, GOD HAS DECLARED US TO BE HOLY, [1 CORINTHIANS 1:2]. IN OUR BAPTISM, HE GAVE US CHRIST'S SINLESS LIFE AS A SET OF CREDENTIALS, NOT OUR OWN. HE WILL WELCOME US HOME, NOT ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED, BUT FOR WHAT CHRIST ACHIEVED. WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE LAST GREAT DAY. SEEK TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN. "BECOME WHAT YOU ARE!" TO GRASP THE MEANING OF THIS IS TO POSSESS A KEY WHICH UNLOCKS MUCH OF SCRIPTURE.
OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THROUGH BAPTISM REFLECTS THE EVENTS OF THE EXODUS, WILDERNESS WANDERINGS AND ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LAND. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYSICAL BIRTH, WE ARE IN "ADAM," AND THEREFORE HELD CAPTIVE TO THE POWER OF SIN. THE RISEN JESUS DWELLS AMONG US TODAY, AND GUIDES US ON OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF LIFE. [1 PETER 1:6-8].
TODAY WE LIVE ON EARTH AS "STRANGERS, EXILES, AND PILGRIMS [1 PETER 2:11] WE ALREADY POSSESS A PROMISED LAND, [1 PETER 2; 9, 1O.] WE KNOW WHEN WE MAKE THAT "FINAL CROSSING, " ALL WILL BE WELL.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
LORD'S PRAYER. " THE CHRISTIAN BATTLE CRY.
BOTH MATTHEW AND LUKE REPORTS THE GIVING OF THE LORD'S PRAYER IN MATTHEW JESUS GIVES IT AFTER WARNING HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT DISPLAY AND VERBOSITY IN PRAYER. HE GIVES IT AS AN EXAMPLE OF PRAYER. ( "PRAY LIKE THIS") : AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE " OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL: FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOR EVER A-MEN! [6:9]. IN LUKE, JESUS GIVES IT IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM HIS DISCIPLES THAT HE TEACH THEM TO PRAY, AS JOHN TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES (LUKE 11: 1,2.)
IT IS SOMETIMES SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS ASK FOR "SPIRITUAL" THINGS. , THE FOURTH FOR MATERIAL THINGS, AND THE LAST THREE FOR ADDITIONAL "SPIRITUAL" BLESSINGS. THE COMMENTS WHICH FOLLOWS SUGGEST THAT ALL SEVEN PETITIONS ASK FOR "SPIRITUAL" BLESSINGS, FOR IN ALL WE ASK FOR THE MIND OF CHRIST.
THE LORD'S PRAYER TEACHES US;
1. THE KINDS OF THINGS JESU WANTS US TO PRAY ABOUT.
2. TO BE CONCISE IN OUR PRAYERS.
3. TO PRAY THAT WE MIGHT BE BUSY FOR GOD, RATHER THAN GOD SHOULD BE BUSY FOR US.
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN
SOME OF THE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS TAUGHT THAT THE GODS WERE INCAPABLE OF FEELING OR EMOTION, AND WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN. THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS NOT LIKE THAT. HE WANTS US TO THINK OF HIM LIKE A FATHER WHO GIVES AND SUSTAINS LIFE, WHO HAS TIME TO LISTEN WITH CONCERN TO WHATEVER WE SAY TO HIM, WHO CAN BRING TO PASS WHATEVER IS GOOD FOR US, (ISAIAH 65:24); PSALM 103;1-5; 2 CORINTHIANS 12;8,9. IN PRAYING "OUR," WE REMEMBER THAT HE HAS MANY CHILDREN, AND THAT HE WISHES US TO PRAY AND LIVE FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL PEOPLE.
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. THESE WORDS REFER TO EACH OF THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS, WHOSE MESSAGE IS THEN:
HALLOWED BE THY NAME ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THY KINGDOM COME ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THESE WORDS REMIND US THAT THOUGH ALL IS WELL IN HEAVEN, ALL IS NOT WELL ON EARTH. IN HEAVEN, GOD'S NAME IS HALLOWED, HIS KINGLY RULE PREVAILS AND HIS WILL IS DONE. ON EARTH, THE DEADLY TRIO OF SATAN, WORLD AND FLESH. ( HUMAN NATURE IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD) ARE BLINDING AND MISLEADING PEOPLES HEARTS. WE PRAY, THEN, THAT THINGS ON EARTH BECOME MORE AS THEY ARE IN HEAVEN.
PETITION 1: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
EACH PETITION USES FEW WORDS TO SAY SO MUCH. "NAME" IS NOT USED IN THE SENSE OF TITLE OR NAME-TAG. IT REFERS TO GOD HIMSELF ( JOHN 17:6; LEVITICUS 24:16), HIS WHOLE BEING AND PERSONALITY. TO HALLOW" MEANS TO TREAT AS HOLY, TO HOLD SACRED. HE WHO HALLOWS A THING REVERES, RESPECTS AND STANDS IN AWE OF IT. GOD IS WHAT HE IS. HUMAN OPINION CANNOT CHANGE WHAT HE IS. ACCORDLY, IN THE FIRST PETITION, WE PRAY:
1. THAT OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD MIGHT TALLY WITH REALITY.
2. THAT WE MIGHT REVERE HIM AS MAKER, OWNER, SUSTAINER OF CREATION.
3. THAT OUR USE OF O LIFE MIGHT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO HIM AND HIS WILL.
4. THAT HE WOULD ENLIGHTEN AND EMPOWER US TO PERCEIVE AND REJECT EVERY SATANIC WHIM IN OUR LIVES, AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AND
5. THAT WE MIGHT INFLUENCE OTHERS TO GIVE HIM DUE REVERENCE.
PETITION 2. THY KINGDOM COME.
WHY PRAY THAT IT SHOULD COME?
IF IT WERE HERE, THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN PRAYING THIS PETITION.
JESUS URGES US TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE KINGDOM OF SATAN, WORLD AND FLESH. IN PRAYING THIS PETITION
1. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF A FALSE, LYING KINGDOM - THAT OF THE DEADLY TRIO.
2. WE PRAY THAT GOD'S KINGDOM MIGHT DISPLACE IT MORE AND MORE IN OUR LIVES, AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
3. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO WORK AS HIS INSTRUMENTS TO BEING THIS TO PASS.
PETITION 3: THY WILL BE DONE. THIS PETITION IS SIMILAR TO THE SECOND. IF GOD'S WILL WERE BEING DONE, THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN PRAYING THIS PETITION.
1. WE ASK GOD TO EQUIP US TO RECOGNIZE WHAT MANKIND DOES BY NATURE- THE WILL OF THE DEADLY TRIO.
2. WE ASK GOD TO HELP US FIGHT THAT EVIL WILL IN OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
3. WE ASK GOD TO EQUIP US TO HELP OTHERS KNOW AND DO HIS WILL.
PETITION 4: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
THIS PETITION DOES NOT ASK FOR MATERIAL THINGS; IT ASKS FOR AN ATTITUDE. TO ILLUSTRATE;
HAVE YOU ASKED GOD FOR DAILY BREAD, AND OTHER PHYSICAL NEEDS, EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE. MOST NOT LIKELY NOT. IF YOU WERE NEVER AGAIN TO ASK HIM FOR THESE THINGS, WOULD HE SUPPLY THEM? YES. GOD SUPPLIES OUR DAILY NEEDS WHETHER WE ASK OR NOT, THANK OR NOT. WHY BOTHER TO PRAY THIS PETITION? IN PRAYING IT,
1. WE DO NOT ASK GOD TO GIVE US DAILY BREAD. HE GIVES IT WHETHER WE ASK OR NOT.
2. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE PROVIDES ALL WE NEED DAY BY DAY TO SUPPORT LIFE.
3. WE TRUST HIM TO SUPPLY OUR DAILY NEEDS. HE CLAIMS THAT AS HIS RESPONSIBILITY WORRY IS UNNECESSARY. HE HAS PROVIDED, DOES PROVIDE, AN WILL PROVIDE.
4.WE ASK TO BE GIVEN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.
PETITION: 5 FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
1. GOD KNOWS THAT WE ARE SINNERS. HE FORGIVES US AND ACCEPTS US AS WE ARE, AS WE BECOME IN CHRIST.
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION; BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
JESUS CLOSING WORDS STRATEGICALLY PLACED AND BLUNTLY REALISTIC. HE LOOKS BACK OVER ALL THE NOBLE THINGS HE ASKED US TO PRAY ABOUT, AND EXHORTS US TO REMEMBER THAT OUR CHRISTIAN WALK THROUGH LIFE WILL NOT BE EASY. THE "OLD EVIL FOE" IS AROUND AND IS A DEADLY FORCE. THE WORLD TREATS SATAN AS A COMIC STRIP CHARACTER. JESUS BIDS US TO ENTERTAIN DIFFERENT THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT (JOHN 8:44; 1 PETER 5:8,9.) HE PULLS THE SAME OLD TRICK, HE PULLED ON "EVE" IN THE GARDEN, BY CONVINCING HER AND NOW US THAT THEIR SIN IS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE.
THE CLOSING WORDS OF THE LORDS PRAYER ARE NOT FOUND IN THE EARLIEST AND BEST GREEK MANUSCRIPTS. HOWEVER, THEY BECAME AN ESTABLISHED PART OF THE PRAYER OVER A PERIOD OF CENTURIES, FOR THEY WERE A RESPONSE
TO THE CONGREGATION TO THE PRAYER.
THEY ARE BASED ON [1 CHRONICLES 29:11].
THE WORD "AMEN" IS NOT AN ANCIENT WAY OF SAYING "THE END."
IT IS A HEBREW WORD WHICH SIGNIFIES " TRUELY, TRULY, OR "CERTAINLY," "CERTAINLY,."
IN PRAYING IT, WE RECOGNIZE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IS VALID, MAKE IT OUR OWN AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO CONFORM TO IT.
IT IS SOMETIMES SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS ASK FOR "SPIRITUAL" THINGS. , THE FOURTH FOR MATERIAL THINGS, AND THE LAST THREE FOR ADDITIONAL "SPIRITUAL" BLESSINGS. THE COMMENTS WHICH FOLLOWS SUGGEST THAT ALL SEVEN PETITIONS ASK FOR "SPIRITUAL" BLESSINGS, FOR IN ALL WE ASK FOR THE MIND OF CHRIST.
THE LORD'S PRAYER TEACHES US;
1. THE KINDS OF THINGS JESU WANTS US TO PRAY ABOUT.
2. TO BE CONCISE IN OUR PRAYERS.
3. TO PRAY THAT WE MIGHT BE BUSY FOR GOD, RATHER THAN GOD SHOULD BE BUSY FOR US.
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN
SOME OF THE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS TAUGHT THAT THE GODS WERE INCAPABLE OF FEELING OR EMOTION, AND WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN. THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS NOT LIKE THAT. HE WANTS US TO THINK OF HIM LIKE A FATHER WHO GIVES AND SUSTAINS LIFE, WHO HAS TIME TO LISTEN WITH CONCERN TO WHATEVER WE SAY TO HIM, WHO CAN BRING TO PASS WHATEVER IS GOOD FOR US, (ISAIAH 65:24); PSALM 103;1-5; 2 CORINTHIANS 12;8,9. IN PRAYING "OUR," WE REMEMBER THAT HE HAS MANY CHILDREN, AND THAT HE WISHES US TO PRAY AND LIVE FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL PEOPLE.
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. THESE WORDS REFER TO EACH OF THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS, WHOSE MESSAGE IS THEN:
HALLOWED BE THY NAME ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THY KINGDOM COME ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
THESE WORDS REMIND US THAT THOUGH ALL IS WELL IN HEAVEN, ALL IS NOT WELL ON EARTH. IN HEAVEN, GOD'S NAME IS HALLOWED, HIS KINGLY RULE PREVAILS AND HIS WILL IS DONE. ON EARTH, THE DEADLY TRIO OF SATAN, WORLD AND FLESH. ( HUMAN NATURE IN REBELLION AGAINST GOD) ARE BLINDING AND MISLEADING PEOPLES HEARTS. WE PRAY, THEN, THAT THINGS ON EARTH BECOME MORE AS THEY ARE IN HEAVEN.
PETITION 1: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
EACH PETITION USES FEW WORDS TO SAY SO MUCH. "NAME" IS NOT USED IN THE SENSE OF TITLE OR NAME-TAG. IT REFERS TO GOD HIMSELF ( JOHN 17:6; LEVITICUS 24:16), HIS WHOLE BEING AND PERSONALITY. TO HALLOW" MEANS TO TREAT AS HOLY, TO HOLD SACRED. HE WHO HALLOWS A THING REVERES, RESPECTS AND STANDS IN AWE OF IT. GOD IS WHAT HE IS. HUMAN OPINION CANNOT CHANGE WHAT HE IS. ACCORDLY, IN THE FIRST PETITION, WE PRAY:
1. THAT OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD MIGHT TALLY WITH REALITY.
2. THAT WE MIGHT REVERE HIM AS MAKER, OWNER, SUSTAINER OF CREATION.
3. THAT OUR USE OF O LIFE MIGHT REFLECT SUBMISSION TO HIM AND HIS WILL.
4. THAT HE WOULD ENLIGHTEN AND EMPOWER US TO PERCEIVE AND REJECT EVERY SATANIC WHIM IN OUR LIVES, AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AND
5. THAT WE MIGHT INFLUENCE OTHERS TO GIVE HIM DUE REVERENCE.
PETITION 2. THY KINGDOM COME.
WHY PRAY THAT IT SHOULD COME?
IF IT WERE HERE, THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN PRAYING THIS PETITION.
JESUS URGES US TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE KINGDOM OF SATAN, WORLD AND FLESH. IN PRAYING THIS PETITION
1. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF A FALSE, LYING KINGDOM - THAT OF THE DEADLY TRIO.
2. WE PRAY THAT GOD'S KINGDOM MIGHT DISPLACE IT MORE AND MORE IN OUR LIVES, AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
3. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO WORK AS HIS INSTRUMENTS TO BEING THIS TO PASS.
PETITION 3: THY WILL BE DONE. THIS PETITION IS SIMILAR TO THE SECOND. IF GOD'S WILL WERE BEING DONE, THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN PRAYING THIS PETITION.
1. WE ASK GOD TO EQUIP US TO RECOGNIZE WHAT MANKIND DOES BY NATURE- THE WILL OF THE DEADLY TRIO.
2. WE ASK GOD TO HELP US FIGHT THAT EVIL WILL IN OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
3. WE ASK GOD TO EQUIP US TO HELP OTHERS KNOW AND DO HIS WILL.
PETITION 4: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
THIS PETITION DOES NOT ASK FOR MATERIAL THINGS; IT ASKS FOR AN ATTITUDE. TO ILLUSTRATE;
HAVE YOU ASKED GOD FOR DAILY BREAD, AND OTHER PHYSICAL NEEDS, EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE. MOST NOT LIKELY NOT. IF YOU WERE NEVER AGAIN TO ASK HIM FOR THESE THINGS, WOULD HE SUPPLY THEM? YES. GOD SUPPLIES OUR DAILY NEEDS WHETHER WE ASK OR NOT, THANK OR NOT. WHY BOTHER TO PRAY THIS PETITION? IN PRAYING IT,
1. WE DO NOT ASK GOD TO GIVE US DAILY BREAD. HE GIVES IT WHETHER WE ASK OR NOT.
2. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE PROVIDES ALL WE NEED DAY BY DAY TO SUPPORT LIFE.
3. WE TRUST HIM TO SUPPLY OUR DAILY NEEDS. HE CLAIMS THAT AS HIS RESPONSIBILITY WORRY IS UNNECESSARY. HE HAS PROVIDED, DOES PROVIDE, AN WILL PROVIDE.
4.WE ASK TO BE GIVEN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.
PETITION: 5 FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
1. GOD KNOWS THAT WE ARE SINNERS. HE FORGIVES US AND ACCEPTS US AS WE ARE, AS WE BECOME IN CHRIST.
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION; BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
JESUS CLOSING WORDS STRATEGICALLY PLACED AND BLUNTLY REALISTIC. HE LOOKS BACK OVER ALL THE NOBLE THINGS HE ASKED US TO PRAY ABOUT, AND EXHORTS US TO REMEMBER THAT OUR CHRISTIAN WALK THROUGH LIFE WILL NOT BE EASY. THE "OLD EVIL FOE" IS AROUND AND IS A DEADLY FORCE. THE WORLD TREATS SATAN AS A COMIC STRIP CHARACTER. JESUS BIDS US TO ENTERTAIN DIFFERENT THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT (JOHN 8:44; 1 PETER 5:8,9.) HE PULLS THE SAME OLD TRICK, HE PULLED ON "EVE" IN THE GARDEN, BY CONVINCING HER AND NOW US THAT THEIR SIN IS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE.
THE CLOSING WORDS OF THE LORDS PRAYER ARE NOT FOUND IN THE EARLIEST AND BEST GREEK MANUSCRIPTS. HOWEVER, THEY BECAME AN ESTABLISHED PART OF THE PRAYER OVER A PERIOD OF CENTURIES, FOR THEY WERE A RESPONSE
TO THE CONGREGATION TO THE PRAYER.
THEY ARE BASED ON [1 CHRONICLES 29:11].
THE WORD "AMEN" IS NOT AN ANCIENT WAY OF SAYING "THE END."
IT IS A HEBREW WORD WHICH SIGNIFIES " TRUELY, TRULY, OR "CERTAINLY," "CERTAINLY,."
IN PRAYING IT, WE RECOGNIZE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IS VALID, MAKE IT OUR OWN AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO CONFORM TO IT.
Monday, February 26, 2018
THE SOURCE OF SALVATION- WORKS OR A PERSON ?
GOD MADE HUMANS TO SERVE HIM AND OTHERS. THEY SINNED; THEY BECAME SELF-SERVING,[ROMANS 3:23]. SIN PAYS WAGES-- "DEATH.!" [ROMANS 6:23]. HOW DOES FALLEN HUMANITY TO GET OUT OF ITS DILEMA? TO WHAT CAN IT LOOK FOR RESCUE? HUMANY LOOKS TO ONE OF TWO SOURCES OF HELP:
WHAT IT DOES FOR GOD- ITS OWN WORKS.
WHAT GOD DOES FOR IT- A PERSON. THE FIRST IS A DELUSION, BORN OF PRIDE AND DESPAIR.. THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM MUST COME FROM GOD. THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE SOLUTION OF "WORKS."
WHEN GOD FIRST MADE ADAM, ADAM WAS IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. GOD ESTABLISHED THAT FELLOWSHIP (GEN 3].
ADAMS OBEDIENCE DID NOT ESTABLISH FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. FELLOWSHIP EXISTED.
AFTER THE FALL INTO SIN, ADAM NO LONGER DID GOD'S WILL. HE DID HIS OWN WILL. HE SOUGHT TO BE FREE FROM GOD, ONLY TO BE A SLAVE TO HIMSELF, SUBJECT TO DEATH, JUDGMENT. AND CONDEMNATION. HIS PLIGHT WAS ONE OF HIS OWN MAKING. BY NATURE, FALLEN HUMANITY TRIES TO PUT MATTERS RIGHT BETWEEN GOD AND ITSELF ON THE BASIS OF WORKS. IT USES WORKS TO MANIPULATE GOD TO ACCEPT IT. IN SO DOING, IT PUTS GOD'S LAWS TO USE HE NEVER INTENDED. NOT SET OF RULES CAN PUT MATTERS RIGHT BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANS WHETHER THEY BE COMMANDMENTS IN THE BIBLE, OR CODES OF LAWS DEVISED BY ANY NATION, GROUP OR TRIBE. NOW WE LOOK AT THE "DIVINE SOLUTION."
THE SOLUTION TO THE BROKEN FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY COMES FROM GOD'S SIDE. GOD INSISTS THAT IT BE THAT WAY. HE WILL BE INDEBTED TO NO PERSON HE INSISTS ON BEING ENTIRELY THE "GIVER" IN THE SPHERE OF SALVATION. MAN MUST ALWAYS REMAIN A RECEIVER OF WHAT GOD GIVES. THOUGH MANY CHRISTIANS LOOK ON THE COMMANDMENTS ( WHETHER TWO, TEN OR, MANY) AS GUIDELINES FOR THEIR WALK THROUGH LIFE, THEIR REAL GUIDELINE IS TO BE THE LIFE OF JESUS, ( JOHN 13;34,35; EPHESIANS 5:1; MATTHEW 11:28-30).
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AS QUOTED IN EXODUS 20 AND DEUTERONOMY 5 BELONGED TO THE GOD MADE WITH OLD ISRAEL. THIS COVENANT WAS REPLACED BY JESUS. ANY OLD TESTAMENT COMMANDMENT MUST NOW BE FILTERED THROUGH JESUS MIND. HIS LIFE AND TEACHING ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY FOR
DETERMINING THE WAY HIS DISCIPLES ARE TO WALK THROUGH LIFE. WHEN GOD REVEALED HIS TRUTH TO HUMAN KIND, HE DID NOT PROVIDE HIS WRITERS WITH A NEW-HEAVEN DESIGNED SET OF WORDS TO EXPRESS IT. HE LET THEM EMPLOY WORDS ALREADY IN USE TO CONVEY MESSAGE.
THE BIBLE HAS A RICH VOCABULARY OF WORDS TO DESCRIBE SIN.
1. THE MOST COMMON WORD THE BIBLE USES TO EXPRESS HUMAN REBELLION IS "SIN." THE WORD THE NEW TESTAMENT USES FOR SIN WAS USED IN CLASSICAL GREEK TO MEAN, "TO MISS A TARGET OR ROAD, " HENCE ALSO AN INTELLECTUAL ERROR, AND "A MORAL FAULT."
2. A SECOND WORD IS "TRESPASS". IT MEANS TO WALK IN FORBIDDEN PLACES. IT USUALLY REFERS TO AN INDIVIDUAL LAPSE, RATHER THAN TO A CONDITION OF SINFULNESS
[EPHESIANS 2:1].
2B.THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORD TO REFER TO MAN'S STATE OF REBELLION AGAINST GOD e.g. ROMANS 5-7. MAN'S SINFUL CONDITION GIVES RISE TO WRONG ACTIONS.
3. THE WORD " TRANSGRESS MEANS " TO GO BEYOND THAT SPECIFIED LIMIT," AND " TO CROSS OVER THE LINE." IT DESCRIBES BREAKING GOD'S LAW [MATTHEW 15:2,3.]
4. THERE ARE SEVERAL WORDS WITH RELATED MEANINGS. THE NEW TESTAMENT WORD "LAWLESSNESS" INDICATES THE ATTITUDE OF CONTEMPT FOR GOD'S LAW,
1 TIMOTHY 1;9. IT INCORPORATES IDEAS OF REVOLT, REBELLION, AND DEFIANCE.
WHAT IT DOES FOR GOD- ITS OWN WORKS.
WHAT GOD DOES FOR IT- A PERSON. THE FIRST IS A DELUSION, BORN OF PRIDE AND DESPAIR.. THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM MUST COME FROM GOD. THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE SOLUTION OF "WORKS."
WHEN GOD FIRST MADE ADAM, ADAM WAS IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. GOD ESTABLISHED THAT FELLOWSHIP (GEN 3].
ADAMS OBEDIENCE DID NOT ESTABLISH FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. FELLOWSHIP EXISTED.
AFTER THE FALL INTO SIN, ADAM NO LONGER DID GOD'S WILL. HE DID HIS OWN WILL. HE SOUGHT TO BE FREE FROM GOD, ONLY TO BE A SLAVE TO HIMSELF, SUBJECT TO DEATH, JUDGMENT. AND CONDEMNATION. HIS PLIGHT WAS ONE OF HIS OWN MAKING. BY NATURE, FALLEN HUMANITY TRIES TO PUT MATTERS RIGHT BETWEEN GOD AND ITSELF ON THE BASIS OF WORKS. IT USES WORKS TO MANIPULATE GOD TO ACCEPT IT. IN SO DOING, IT PUTS GOD'S LAWS TO USE HE NEVER INTENDED. NOT SET OF RULES CAN PUT MATTERS RIGHT BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANS WHETHER THEY BE COMMANDMENTS IN THE BIBLE, OR CODES OF LAWS DEVISED BY ANY NATION, GROUP OR TRIBE. NOW WE LOOK AT THE "DIVINE SOLUTION."
THE SOLUTION TO THE BROKEN FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY COMES FROM GOD'S SIDE. GOD INSISTS THAT IT BE THAT WAY. HE WILL BE INDEBTED TO NO PERSON HE INSISTS ON BEING ENTIRELY THE "GIVER" IN THE SPHERE OF SALVATION. MAN MUST ALWAYS REMAIN A RECEIVER OF WHAT GOD GIVES. THOUGH MANY CHRISTIANS LOOK ON THE COMMANDMENTS ( WHETHER TWO, TEN OR, MANY) AS GUIDELINES FOR THEIR WALK THROUGH LIFE, THEIR REAL GUIDELINE IS TO BE THE LIFE OF JESUS, ( JOHN 13;34,35; EPHESIANS 5:1; MATTHEW 11:28-30).
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AS QUOTED IN EXODUS 20 AND DEUTERONOMY 5 BELONGED TO THE GOD MADE WITH OLD ISRAEL. THIS COVENANT WAS REPLACED BY JESUS. ANY OLD TESTAMENT COMMANDMENT MUST NOW BE FILTERED THROUGH JESUS MIND. HIS LIFE AND TEACHING ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY FOR
DETERMINING THE WAY HIS DISCIPLES ARE TO WALK THROUGH LIFE. WHEN GOD REVEALED HIS TRUTH TO HUMAN KIND, HE DID NOT PROVIDE HIS WRITERS WITH A NEW-HEAVEN DESIGNED SET OF WORDS TO EXPRESS IT. HE LET THEM EMPLOY WORDS ALREADY IN USE TO CONVEY MESSAGE.
THE BIBLE HAS A RICH VOCABULARY OF WORDS TO DESCRIBE SIN.
1. THE MOST COMMON WORD THE BIBLE USES TO EXPRESS HUMAN REBELLION IS "SIN." THE WORD THE NEW TESTAMENT USES FOR SIN WAS USED IN CLASSICAL GREEK TO MEAN, "TO MISS A TARGET OR ROAD, " HENCE ALSO AN INTELLECTUAL ERROR, AND "A MORAL FAULT."
2. A SECOND WORD IS "TRESPASS". IT MEANS TO WALK IN FORBIDDEN PLACES. IT USUALLY REFERS TO AN INDIVIDUAL LAPSE, RATHER THAN TO A CONDITION OF SINFULNESS
[EPHESIANS 2:1].
2B.THE NEW TESTAMENT USES THE WORD TO REFER TO MAN'S STATE OF REBELLION AGAINST GOD e.g. ROMANS 5-7. MAN'S SINFUL CONDITION GIVES RISE TO WRONG ACTIONS.
3. THE WORD " TRANSGRESS MEANS " TO GO BEYOND THAT SPECIFIED LIMIT," AND " TO CROSS OVER THE LINE." IT DESCRIBES BREAKING GOD'S LAW [MATTHEW 15:2,3.]
4. THERE ARE SEVERAL WORDS WITH RELATED MEANINGS. THE NEW TESTAMENT WORD "LAWLESSNESS" INDICATES THE ATTITUDE OF CONTEMPT FOR GOD'S LAW,
1 TIMOTHY 1;9. IT INCORPORATES IDEAS OF REVOLT, REBELLION, AND DEFIANCE.
Friday, February 23, 2018
HEAVEN. "CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY!
THE CHRISTIAN CONCEPTION OF HEAVEN IS ESSENTIALLY THAT OF THE ESCHATOLOGICAL REALIZATION ( END TIMES) OF THE PRESENCE AND POWER OF GOD. AND THE FINAL ELIMINATION OF SIN. THE MOST HELPFUL WAY OF CONSIDERING IT IS TO REGARD IT AS A CONSUMMATION OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF SALVATION, IN WHICH THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES OF HEAVEN ARE STRONGLY COMMUNAL IN NATURE; FOR EXAMPLE, HEAVEN IS PORTRAYED AS A BANQUET, AS A WEDDING FEAST, OR AS A CITY- THE NEW JERUSALEM INDIVIDUALIST INTERPRETATIONS OF HEAVEN OR ETERNAL LIFE ARE ALSO EXCLUDED ON ACCOUNT OF THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AS TRINITY. ETERNAL LIFE IS THUS NOT A PROJECTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN EXISTENCE, BUT IS RATHER TO BE SEEN AS SHARING, WITH THE REDEEMED COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IN THE COMMUNITY OF A LOVING GOD.
THE TERM "HEAVEN" IS USED FREQUENTLY IN THE PAULINE WRITINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. ALTHOUGH IT IS NATURAL TO THINK OF HEAVEN AS A FUTURE ENTITY, PAUL'S THINKING APPEARS TO EMBRACE BOTH A FUTURE REALITY AND A SPIRITUAL SPHERE OR REALM WHICH COEXISTS WITH THE MATERIAL WORLD OF SPACE AND TIME. THUS "HEAVEN " IS REFERRED TO BOTH AS THE FUTURE HOME OF THE BELIEVER (2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-2; PHILIPPIANS 3:20 AS THE PRESENT DWELLING PLACE OF JESUS CHRIST, FROM WHICH HE WILL COME IN FINAL JUDGMENT (ROMANS 10:6; 1 THESSALONIANS 1: 10; 4:16). ONE OF PAUL'S MOST SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTS CONCERNING HEAVEN FOCUSES ON THE NOTION OF BELIEVERS BEING "CITIZENS OF HEAVEN" (PHILIPPIANS 3:20, AND IN SOME WAY SHARING IN THE LIFE OF PRESENT. TENSION BETWEEN "NOW"AND THE "NOT YET".IS EVIDENT IN PAUL'S STATEMENTS CONCERNING HEAVEN, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THE SIMPLE IDEA OF HEAVEN AS SOMETHING WHICH WILL NOT COME INTO BEING UNTIL THE FUTURE, OR WHICH CANNOT BE EXPERIENCED IN THE PRESENT. THE EARLY CHRISTIAN DISCUSSION OF HEAVEN TENDED TO FOCUS ON A RELATED IDEA- THE MILLENNIUM, OR RESTORED EARTHLY KINGDOM LASTING FOR A PERIOD OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS, INTERVENING BETWEEN THE COMING OF CHRIST AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOTALLY NEW COSMIC ORDER. THIS IDEA, WHICH IS BASED PARTLY ON A PASSAGE IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION: ( AND HE LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON THAT OLD SERPENT [2 PETER 2:4] WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, AND BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS, AND CAST HIM IN THE BOTTOMLESS PIT, AND SHUT HIM UP, AND SET A SEAL UPON HIM, THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE., TILL THE THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED: AND AFTER THAT HE MUST BE LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON [RELEASED].
AND I SAW THE THRONES, AND THEY THAT SAT UPON THEM, AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN UNTO THEM: I SAW THE THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE BEHEADED FOR THE WITNESS OF JESUS, AND FOR THE WORD OF GOD, AND WHICH HAD NOT WORSHIPPED THE BEAST, NEITHER HAD RECEIVED THE MARK UPON THEIR FOREHEADS OR IN THEIR HANDS; AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNS WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION [JOHN 6:40].
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES OF HEAVEN ARE STRONGLY COMMUNAL IN NATURE; FOR EXAMPLE, HEAVEN IS PORTRAYED AS A BANQUET, AS A WEDDING FEAST, OR AS A CITY- THE NEW JERUSALEM INDIVIDUALIST INTERPRETATIONS OF HEAVEN OR ETERNAL LIFE ARE ALSO EXCLUDED ON ACCOUNT OF THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AS TRINITY. ETERNAL LIFE IS THUS NOT A PROJECTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN EXISTENCE, BUT IS RATHER TO BE SEEN AS SHARING, WITH THE REDEEMED COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IN THE COMMUNITY OF A LOVING GOD.
THE TERM "HEAVEN" IS USED FREQUENTLY IN THE PAULINE WRITINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. ALTHOUGH IT IS NATURAL TO THINK OF HEAVEN AS A FUTURE ENTITY, PAUL'S THINKING APPEARS TO EMBRACE BOTH A FUTURE REALITY AND A SPIRITUAL SPHERE OR REALM WHICH COEXISTS WITH THE MATERIAL WORLD OF SPACE AND TIME. THUS "HEAVEN " IS REFERRED TO BOTH AS THE FUTURE HOME OF THE BELIEVER (2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-2; PHILIPPIANS 3:20 AS THE PRESENT DWELLING PLACE OF JESUS CHRIST, FROM WHICH HE WILL COME IN FINAL JUDGMENT (ROMANS 10:6; 1 THESSALONIANS 1: 10; 4:16). ONE OF PAUL'S MOST SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTS CONCERNING HEAVEN FOCUSES ON THE NOTION OF BELIEVERS BEING "CITIZENS OF HEAVEN" (PHILIPPIANS 3:20, AND IN SOME WAY SHARING IN THE LIFE OF PRESENT. TENSION BETWEEN "NOW"AND THE "NOT YET".IS EVIDENT IN PAUL'S STATEMENTS CONCERNING HEAVEN, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THE SIMPLE IDEA OF HEAVEN AS SOMETHING WHICH WILL NOT COME INTO BEING UNTIL THE FUTURE, OR WHICH CANNOT BE EXPERIENCED IN THE PRESENT. THE EARLY CHRISTIAN DISCUSSION OF HEAVEN TENDED TO FOCUS ON A RELATED IDEA- THE MILLENNIUM, OR RESTORED EARTHLY KINGDOM LASTING FOR A PERIOD OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS, INTERVENING BETWEEN THE COMING OF CHRIST AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOTALLY NEW COSMIC ORDER. THIS IDEA, WHICH IS BASED PARTLY ON A PASSAGE IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION: ( AND HE LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON THAT OLD SERPENT [2 PETER 2:4] WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, AND BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS, AND CAST HIM IN THE BOTTOMLESS PIT, AND SHUT HIM UP, AND SET A SEAL UPON HIM, THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE., TILL THE THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED: AND AFTER THAT HE MUST BE LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON [RELEASED].
AND I SAW THE THRONES, AND THEY THAT SAT UPON THEM, AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN UNTO THEM: I SAW THE THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE BEHEADED FOR THE WITNESS OF JESUS, AND FOR THE WORD OF GOD, AND WHICH HAD NOT WORSHIPPED THE BEAST, NEITHER HAD RECEIVED THE MARK UPON THEIR FOREHEADS OR IN THEIR HANDS; AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNS WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION [JOHN 6:40].
Thursday, February 22, 2018
LAST THINGS.
WE ARE GOING TO CONSIDER ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN TEACHING CONCERNING "LAST THINGS." THERE IS SOME RESISTANCE TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES IN MANY THEOLOGICAL CIRCLES. ONE REASON PUT FORTH BY ERASMUS IN THE EARLY SIXTEENTH CENTURY . COMMENTING ON THE ENTHUSIASM WITH WHICH CERTAIN PARIS THEOLOGIANS WROTE ABOUT HELL, ERASMUS REMARKED THAT THEY MUST HAVE BEEN THERE THEMSELVES! INTEREST IN HELL REACHED A CLIMAX DURING THE MIDDLE AGES WITH ARTISTS OF THE PERIOD TAKING, ONE ASSUMES, A CERTAIN DELIGHT IN PORTRAYING THE RIGHTEOUS WATCHING SINNERS BEING TORMENTED BY BURNING AND OTHER MEANS OF TORTURE. THE MOST GRAPHIC PORTRAYAL OF THE MEDIEVAL VIEW OF HELL IS THAT OF DANTE, IN THE FIRST THREE BOOKS OF HIS DIVINE COMEDY. DANTE PORTRAYS HELL AS NINE CIRCLES AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, WITHIN WHICH SATAN DWELLS. ON THE GATE, DANTE NOTICES THE INSCRIPTION "ABANDON ALL HOPE. ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE!
THE FIRST CIRCLE OF HELL IS POPULATED BY THOSE WHO HAVE DIED WITHOUT BEING BAPTIZED, AND VIRTUOUS PAGANS. ( THIS CIRCLE CORRESPONDS TO THE IDEA OF "LIMBO." DANTE DECLARES THAT IT IS THIS CIRCLE WHICH WAS VISITED BY CHRIST DURING HIS "DESCENT INTO HELL." BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE RESURRECTION. THERE IS NO TORMENT OF ANY KIND IN THIS CIRCLE. AS DANTE ADVANCES FURTHER INTO HELL, HE DISCOVERS THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY OF INCREASINGLY SERIOUS SINS. THE SECOND CIRCLE IS POPULATED BY THE LUSTFUL, THE THIRD BY THE GLUTTONOUS, THE FOURTH BY THE MISERLY, AND THE FIFTH BY THE WRATHFUL. THESE CIRCLES, TAKEN TOGETHER, CONSTITUTE "UPPER HELL." AT NO POINT DOES DANTE REFER TO FIRE IN THIS PART OF HELL. DANTE THEN DRAWS UPON GRECO- ROMAN MYTHOLOGY IN SUGGESTING THAT THE RIVER STYX DIVIDES "UPPER AND "LOWER HELL." NOW WE ENCOUNTER FIRE. FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SIXTH CIRCLE IS POPULATED BY HERETICS, THE SEVENTH BY THE VIOLENT., THE EIGHTH BY FRAUDSTERS (INCLUDING SEVERAL POPES), AND THE NINTH BY TRAITORS. THE STATIC MEDIEVAL VIEW OF HELL WAS UNQUESTIONABLY OF MAJOR INFLUENCE AT THE TIME, AND CONTINUES TO BE IMPORTANCE INTO THE MODERN PERIOD. IT MAY BE FOUND CLEARLY STATED IN JONATHAN EDWARDS FAMOUS "SERMON," SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD," PREACHED ON 8 JULY 1741:
IT WOULD BE DREADFUL TO SUFFER THIS FIERCENESS AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD FOR ONE MOMENT; BUT YOU MUST SUFFER FOR ALL ETERNITY. THERE WILL BE NO END TO THIS EXQUISITE... HORRIBLE MISERY... YOU WILL KNOW THAT YOU MUST WERE OUT LONG AGES, MILLIONS OF MILLIONS OF AGES, IN WRESTLING AND CONFLICTING WITH THIS ALMIGHTY MERCILESS VENGEANCE.
ONE OF THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROTESTANT AND ROMAN CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE "LAST THINGS" RELATES TO THE QUESTION OF PURGATORY. IS PERHAPS BEST UNDERSTOOD AS AN INTERMEDIATE STAGE, IN WHICH THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN A STATE OF GRACE ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURGE THEMSELVES OF THE GUILT OF THEIR SINS BEFORE ENTERING HEAVEN. THE IDEA DOES NOT HAVE EXPLICIT SCRIPTURAL WARRANT, ALTHOUGH A PASSAGE IN 2 MACCABEES 12: 39- 45 ( APOCRYPHAL, AND HENCE AS LACKING IN AUTHORITY, BY PROTESTANT WRITERS) SPEAKS OF JUDAS MACCABEUS MAKING "PROPITIATION FOR THOSE WHO HAD DIED, IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT BE RELEASED FROM THEIR SIN."
THE IDEA WAS DEVELOPED DURING THE PATRISTIC PERIOD.. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA AND ORIGEN BOTH TAUGHT THAT THOSE WHO HAD DIED WITHOUT TIME TO PERFORM WORKS OF PENANCE WOULD BE "PURIFIED THROUGH FIRE."
IN THE NEXT LIFE. (NOT REALIZING THEY WERE SAVED BY GRACE, NOT WORKS. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD- WHICH BECAME WIDE-SPREAD IN THE EASTERN CHURCH IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES- EXERCISED A MAJOR IMPACT UPON THEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT CASE STUDY OF THE MANNER IN WHICH LITURGY INFLUENCES THEOLOGY. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD, IT WAS ASKED, IF THOSE PRAYERS COULD NOT ALTER THE STATE IN WHICH THEY EXISTED? SIMILAR VIEWS ARE FOUND IN AUGUSTINE, WHO TAUGHT THE NEED FOR PURIFICATION FROM THE SINS OF THE PRESENT LIFE, BEFORE ENTERING THE JOYS OF THE NEXT. WHILE THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD APPEARS TO HAVE BECOME WELL ESTABLISHED BY THE FOURTH CENTURY, THE EXPLICIT FORMULATION OF A NOTION OF "PURGATORY" SEEMS TO DATE FROM TWO CENTURIES LATER, IN THE WRITINGS OF GREGORY THE GREAT. IN HIS EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW 12:31,) DATING FROM 593 OR 594), GREGORY PICKS UP THE IDEA OF SINS WHICH CAN BE FORGIVEN " IN THE AGE TO COME. HE INTERPRETS
THIS IN TERMS OF A FUTURE AGE IN WHICH SINS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FORGIVEN SUBSEQUENTLY. NOTE ESPECIALLY THE REFERENCE TO THE "PURIFYING FIRE" (PURGATORIUS IGNIS) WHICH BECAME INCORPORATED INTO MOST MEDIEVAL ACCOUNTS OF PURGATORY, AND FROM WHICH THE TERM " PURGATORY DERIVES.
AS FOR LESSER FAULTS, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT, BEFORE THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, THERE IS A PURIFYING FIRE, FOR HE WHO IS THE TRUTH DECLARES THAT " WHO EVER UTTERS BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE "HOLY SPIRIT" WILL NOT BE PARDONED EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME. (MATTHEW 12:31). FROM THIS STATEMENT IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. THAT CERTAIN OFFENCES CAN BE FORGIVEN
IN THIS AGE, WHEREAS CERTAIN OTHERS WILL BE FORGIVEN IN THE AGE WHICH IS TO COME.
REMEMBER PURGATORY WAS TO LACK ANY SUBSTANTIAL SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, WHICH DECLARED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD BE PUT "RIGHT WITH GOD"
THROUGH FAITH, WHICH OBVIATED THE NEED FOR PURGATORY. AND THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD, CONTINUE TO FIND ACCEPTANCE WITHIN ROMAN CATHOLICISM.
THE FIRST CIRCLE OF HELL IS POPULATED BY THOSE WHO HAVE DIED WITHOUT BEING BAPTIZED, AND VIRTUOUS PAGANS. ( THIS CIRCLE CORRESPONDS TO THE IDEA OF "LIMBO." DANTE DECLARES THAT IT IS THIS CIRCLE WHICH WAS VISITED BY CHRIST DURING HIS "DESCENT INTO HELL." BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE RESURRECTION. THERE IS NO TORMENT OF ANY KIND IN THIS CIRCLE. AS DANTE ADVANCES FURTHER INTO HELL, HE DISCOVERS THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY OF INCREASINGLY SERIOUS SINS. THE SECOND CIRCLE IS POPULATED BY THE LUSTFUL, THE THIRD BY THE GLUTTONOUS, THE FOURTH BY THE MISERLY, AND THE FIFTH BY THE WRATHFUL. THESE CIRCLES, TAKEN TOGETHER, CONSTITUTE "UPPER HELL." AT NO POINT DOES DANTE REFER TO FIRE IN THIS PART OF HELL. DANTE THEN DRAWS UPON GRECO- ROMAN MYTHOLOGY IN SUGGESTING THAT THE RIVER STYX DIVIDES "UPPER AND "LOWER HELL." NOW WE ENCOUNTER FIRE. FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SIXTH CIRCLE IS POPULATED BY HERETICS, THE SEVENTH BY THE VIOLENT., THE EIGHTH BY FRAUDSTERS (INCLUDING SEVERAL POPES), AND THE NINTH BY TRAITORS. THE STATIC MEDIEVAL VIEW OF HELL WAS UNQUESTIONABLY OF MAJOR INFLUENCE AT THE TIME, AND CONTINUES TO BE IMPORTANCE INTO THE MODERN PERIOD. IT MAY BE FOUND CLEARLY STATED IN JONATHAN EDWARDS FAMOUS "SERMON," SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD," PREACHED ON 8 JULY 1741:
IT WOULD BE DREADFUL TO SUFFER THIS FIERCENESS AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD FOR ONE MOMENT; BUT YOU MUST SUFFER FOR ALL ETERNITY. THERE WILL BE NO END TO THIS EXQUISITE... HORRIBLE MISERY... YOU WILL KNOW THAT YOU MUST WERE OUT LONG AGES, MILLIONS OF MILLIONS OF AGES, IN WRESTLING AND CONFLICTING WITH THIS ALMIGHTY MERCILESS VENGEANCE.
ONE OF THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROTESTANT AND ROMAN CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE "LAST THINGS" RELATES TO THE QUESTION OF PURGATORY. IS PERHAPS BEST UNDERSTOOD AS AN INTERMEDIATE STAGE, IN WHICH THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN A STATE OF GRACE ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURGE THEMSELVES OF THE GUILT OF THEIR SINS BEFORE ENTERING HEAVEN. THE IDEA DOES NOT HAVE EXPLICIT SCRIPTURAL WARRANT, ALTHOUGH A PASSAGE IN 2 MACCABEES 12: 39- 45 ( APOCRYPHAL, AND HENCE AS LACKING IN AUTHORITY, BY PROTESTANT WRITERS) SPEAKS OF JUDAS MACCABEUS MAKING "PROPITIATION FOR THOSE WHO HAD DIED, IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT BE RELEASED FROM THEIR SIN."
THE IDEA WAS DEVELOPED DURING THE PATRISTIC PERIOD.. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA AND ORIGEN BOTH TAUGHT THAT THOSE WHO HAD DIED WITHOUT TIME TO PERFORM WORKS OF PENANCE WOULD BE "PURIFIED THROUGH FIRE."
IN THE NEXT LIFE. (NOT REALIZING THEY WERE SAVED BY GRACE, NOT WORKS. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD- WHICH BECAME WIDE-SPREAD IN THE EASTERN CHURCH IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES- EXERCISED A MAJOR IMPACT UPON THEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT CASE STUDY OF THE MANNER IN WHICH LITURGY INFLUENCES THEOLOGY. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD, IT WAS ASKED, IF THOSE PRAYERS COULD NOT ALTER THE STATE IN WHICH THEY EXISTED? SIMILAR VIEWS ARE FOUND IN AUGUSTINE, WHO TAUGHT THE NEED FOR PURIFICATION FROM THE SINS OF THE PRESENT LIFE, BEFORE ENTERING THE JOYS OF THE NEXT. WHILE THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD APPEARS TO HAVE BECOME WELL ESTABLISHED BY THE FOURTH CENTURY, THE EXPLICIT FORMULATION OF A NOTION OF "PURGATORY" SEEMS TO DATE FROM TWO CENTURIES LATER, IN THE WRITINGS OF GREGORY THE GREAT. IN HIS EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW 12:31,) DATING FROM 593 OR 594), GREGORY PICKS UP THE IDEA OF SINS WHICH CAN BE FORGIVEN " IN THE AGE TO COME. HE INTERPRETS
THIS IN TERMS OF A FUTURE AGE IN WHICH SINS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FORGIVEN SUBSEQUENTLY. NOTE ESPECIALLY THE REFERENCE TO THE "PURIFYING FIRE" (PURGATORIUS IGNIS) WHICH BECAME INCORPORATED INTO MOST MEDIEVAL ACCOUNTS OF PURGATORY, AND FROM WHICH THE TERM " PURGATORY DERIVES.
AS FOR LESSER FAULTS, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT, BEFORE THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, THERE IS A PURIFYING FIRE, FOR HE WHO IS THE TRUTH DECLARES THAT " WHO EVER UTTERS BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE "HOLY SPIRIT" WILL NOT BE PARDONED EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME. (MATTHEW 12:31). FROM THIS STATEMENT IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. THAT CERTAIN OFFENCES CAN BE FORGIVEN
IN THIS AGE, WHEREAS CERTAIN OTHERS WILL BE FORGIVEN IN THE AGE WHICH IS TO COME.
REMEMBER PURGATORY WAS TO LACK ANY SUBSTANTIAL SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS. IT WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, WHICH DECLARED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD BE PUT "RIGHT WITH GOD"
THROUGH FAITH, WHICH OBVIATED THE NEED FOR PURGATORY. AND THE PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THE DEAD, CONTINUE TO FIND ACCEPTANCE WITHIN ROMAN CATHOLICISM.
THE "CONCERNS OF THE COVENANT."
WHEN GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ISRAEL AT SINAI, HE BOUND THE NATION TO HIMSELF IN "GRACE," AND SET DOWN STIPULATIONS (COMMANDMENTS) DESIGNED TO TEACH THE PEOPLE HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER IN A HARMONIOUS, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL WAY. THE GOAL OF THE STIPULATIONS GOD SPELLED OUT AT SINAI REFLECTED HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE FOR THE HUMAN RACE. GOD USED SYMBOLS OF THE CLOUD AND LIGHTING TO REMIND US OF THE AWESOME SIGNS (1 COR 7: 5). THAT ACCOMPANIED GOD'S PRESENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE AT SINAI, EXODUS,19.
HE GATHERED THEM AROUND HIMSELF, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY GOODNESS AND MERCY IN HIMSELF, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY GOODNESS IN THEM, BUT SOLELY BECAUSE OF GOODNESS AND MERCY IN HIMSELF. HE DID NOT GATHER THEM THERE TO SAY, " I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE." (EXODUS 20:2.). HE DID NOT GIVE THEM THE COMMANDMENTS THAT THEY MIGHT AT BECOMING HIS PEOPLE. HE GAVE THEM COMMANDMENTS TO INSTRUCT THEM HOW THEY WERE TO TRY TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE HAD DECLARED THEM TO BE HIS PEOPLE. GOD'S PEOPLE WERE TO LIVE TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, WITH GOD DRAWING MEN INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIMSELF, BUT THAT IS NEVER A PRIVATE AFFAIR. EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE NATION WAS A MEMBER OF THE LARGER "COMMUNITY," UNDER OBLIGATION TO SERVE OTHERS.IN THAT LARGER COMMUNITY.
THE STIPULATION, " COMMANDMENT" IS THIRD DOWN THE LIST OF THE SIX PARTS OF THE COVENANT. ISRAEL WAS NOT SAVED BY HER WORKS. SHE WAS SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE (O.T.) FOR WORKS. HER WORKS WERE TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW HER GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS KINDNESS TOWARDS HER, ( DEUTERONOMY 24:18).
ISRAEL'S LIFE UNDER GOD'S DIRECTION WAS TO BE A MEANS OF ATTRACTING OTHER NATIONS INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE ONE TRUE GOD: IN OTHER WORDS, TO BECOME "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." ( DEUTERONOMY 4: 5-8).
THE VARIOUS LAW CODES INCLUDED IN EXODUS-DEUTERONOMY CONTAIN A MULTITUDE OF DETAILS-- A FEW MIGHT BE MENTIONED. THEY GAVE DIRECTIONS TO ALL IN THE NATION ABOUT HOW THEY WERE TO LIVE, CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES, AND TREAT THOSE UNDER THEIR JURISDICTIONS; FOR EXAMPLE, JUDGES ( DEUT 18:20.); KINGS (DEUT. 17:14-17); PRIESTS (DEUT. 18:1-8); AND PROPHETS (DEUT.18: 9-22). COMPASSION AND KINDNESS WERE TO BE SHOWN TO PARENTS (EXODUS 20:12; 21:15; DEUT.21:18-21.) TO WIDOWS, THE FATHER-LESS, AND THE POOR. (DEUT.1:17; 10:18; 16-19; LEV. 19:15); TO THE BLIND AND DEAF ( LEV. 19:14; DEUT. 27:18); TO ANIMALS (EXODUS 23:4,5; DEUT 22:1-4,6-7); AND TO WORKERS ( LEV. 19:13; DEUT. 24: 14,15).
THESE PASSAGES REVEAL THAT THE LAW CODES ARE DETAILED AND REMARKABLE. THEY ARE BASED ON ETERNAL PRINCIPLES. GOD DID NOT GIVE THEM AS GUIDES FOR EFFECTING SALVATION. HE GAVE THEM FOR REFLECTING SALVATION. THE DIFFERENCE IS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE.
HE GATHERED THEM AROUND HIMSELF, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY GOODNESS AND MERCY IN HIMSELF, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY GOODNESS IN THEM, BUT SOLELY BECAUSE OF GOODNESS AND MERCY IN HIMSELF. HE DID NOT GATHER THEM THERE TO SAY, " I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE." (EXODUS 20:2.). HE DID NOT GIVE THEM THE COMMANDMENTS THAT THEY MIGHT AT BECOMING HIS PEOPLE. HE GAVE THEM COMMANDMENTS TO INSTRUCT THEM HOW THEY WERE TO TRY TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE HAD DECLARED THEM TO BE HIS PEOPLE. GOD'S PEOPLE WERE TO LIVE TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, WITH GOD DRAWING MEN INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIMSELF, BUT THAT IS NEVER A PRIVATE AFFAIR. EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE NATION WAS A MEMBER OF THE LARGER "COMMUNITY," UNDER OBLIGATION TO SERVE OTHERS.IN THAT LARGER COMMUNITY.
THE STIPULATION, " COMMANDMENT" IS THIRD DOWN THE LIST OF THE SIX PARTS OF THE COVENANT. ISRAEL WAS NOT SAVED BY HER WORKS. SHE WAS SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE (O.T.) FOR WORKS. HER WORKS WERE TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW HER GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS KINDNESS TOWARDS HER, ( DEUTERONOMY 24:18).
ISRAEL'S LIFE UNDER GOD'S DIRECTION WAS TO BE A MEANS OF ATTRACTING OTHER NATIONS INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE ONE TRUE GOD: IN OTHER WORDS, TO BECOME "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." ( DEUTERONOMY 4: 5-8).
THE VARIOUS LAW CODES INCLUDED IN EXODUS-DEUTERONOMY CONTAIN A MULTITUDE OF DETAILS-- A FEW MIGHT BE MENTIONED. THEY GAVE DIRECTIONS TO ALL IN THE NATION ABOUT HOW THEY WERE TO LIVE, CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES, AND TREAT THOSE UNDER THEIR JURISDICTIONS; FOR EXAMPLE, JUDGES ( DEUT 18:20.); KINGS (DEUT. 17:14-17); PRIESTS (DEUT. 18:1-8); AND PROPHETS (DEUT.18: 9-22). COMPASSION AND KINDNESS WERE TO BE SHOWN TO PARENTS (EXODUS 20:12; 21:15; DEUT.21:18-21.) TO WIDOWS, THE FATHER-LESS, AND THE POOR. (DEUT.1:17; 10:18; 16-19; LEV. 19:15); TO THE BLIND AND DEAF ( LEV. 19:14; DEUT. 27:18); TO ANIMALS (EXODUS 23:4,5; DEUT 22:1-4,6-7); AND TO WORKERS ( LEV. 19:13; DEUT. 24: 14,15).
THESE PASSAGES REVEAL THAT THE LAW CODES ARE DETAILED AND REMARKABLE. THEY ARE BASED ON ETERNAL PRINCIPLES. GOD DID NOT GIVE THEM AS GUIDES FOR EFFECTING SALVATION. HE GAVE THEM FOR REFLECTING SALVATION. THE DIFFERENCE IS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
THREE PASSIONS. [GOSPEL OF MARK].
WHEN JESUS ASKED THE DISCIPLES ON THE WAY TO CAESAREA PHILIPPI WHO HE WAS. PETER ANSWERED FOR THEM ALL, " YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH!"
(MARK 8:27-30). IT APPEARED THAT THE DISCIPLES KNEW WHO HE WAS, EVEN IF THE NATION DID NOT. DID THEY?
WHAT PETER SAID WAS CORRECT. HIS UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST'S ROLE AS MESSIAH WAS WRONG. WHY? AFTER PETER'S "CONFESSION," FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARK'S GOSPEL. JESUS SPOKE ABOUT HIS APPROACHING SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION ( PASSION PREDICTION NUMBER 1). THIS WAS TO MUCH FOR PETER. HE REBUKED JESUS FOR SAYING SUCH THINGS. JESUS, IN TURN, ADDRESSED PETER IN STRONG TERMS, AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ON THE SIDE OF SATAN (8:33). HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO HIS DISCIPLES THAT IF THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH HIM, THEY MUST THROW IN THEIR LOT WITH A SERVANT KING. WHO DENIED HIM-SELF TO SPEND LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS. " TO BELONG TO JESUS MEANS STRIVING TO USE LIFE AS HE DID, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST." ( 8:34-38). THE DISCIPLES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND JESUS REFERENCE TO HIS COMING PASSION BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF A SUFFERING, DYING MESSIAH WAS COMPLETELY FOREIGN TO THEM. THEY LIKE THEIR CONTEMPORARIES, WERE LOOKING FOR A MESSIAH WHO WOULD USHER IN A GLORIOUS AGE OF MATERIAL PROSPERITY, POLITICAL PRIVILEGE AND FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN DOMINATION. POSSIBLY THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MESSIANIC AGE WOULD MEAN POSITIONS OF HONOR AND CONDITIONS OF AFFLUENCE FOR THEMSELVES. JESUS' TALK ABOUT CARRYING THE CROSS OF SERVANTHOOD IN EVERY SITUATION FELL ON CONFUSED AND DISBELIEVING EARS! JESUS CONTINUED BY STATING THAT WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME HIS DISCIPLES WOULD SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER '
(9:1). HE WAS REFERRING TO HIS APPROACHING CRUCIFIXION. JESUS THE SERVANT-KING, WAS AT HIS MOST POWERFUL IN MARCHING TO AND ENDURING, THE AGONY OF THE CROSS.
THE TRANSFIGURATION (9:2-8) RE-ENACTED THE "THEOPHANY" (APPEARANCE OF GOD). (EXODUS 24: 15-18). AS GOD ONCE MANIFESTED HIS GLORY AT SINAI, SO THE INCARNATE GOD MANIFESTED HIS GLORY TO THE DISCIPLES ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. THE CONCLUSION IS OBVIOUS. THE GOD ISRAEL HAD KNOWN AND WORSHIPPED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD HAD COME AMONG THEM IN JESUS CHRIST. THE WORDS, " LISTEN TO HIM." ECHO DEUTERONOMY (18:15) WHERE GOD PROMISED ISRAEL THAT AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES, HE WOULD RAISE UP ANOTHER PROPHET (JOSHUA) WHO WOULD LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISE LAND. THE NEW "JOSHUA" WOULD LEAD HIS PEOPLE INTO THE
ETERNAL PROMISED LAND.
AS THE GROUP WHICH WITNESSED THE TRANSFIGURATION DESCENDED THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TELL NO ONE WHAT THEY HAD SEEN UNTIL AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. HIS DISCIPLES WERE THOROUGHLY CONFUSED BY HIS REFERENCE TO RISING FROM THE DEAD. THE IMPORTANT OF THE QUESTIONS RELATING TO FAITH-SIGHT BECAME MORE APPARENT WHEN ONE OBSERVES THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH PASSION.
(1. PREDICTION BY JESUS OF HIS COMING PASSION.
(2. CONFUSION ON THE PART OF THE DISCIPLES.
(3. CLARIFICATION BY JESUS CONCERNING THE IMPLICATIONS OF MESSIANIC AGE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN IT.
JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM ON PALM SUNDAY. THOUGH HIS MODE OF ENTRY WAS HUMBLE, IT WAS NEVER-THE-LESS A SIGN AND AN ASSERTION, (11;1-10). WHEN A KING WENT TO WAR, HE RODE A HORSE. WHEN HE WAS ON A MISSION OF PEACE, HE RODE A DONKEY. THE CROWDS MISS THE POINT JESUS WAS MAKING; THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A WARRIOR KING. FURTHERMORE, THEY FORGOT WHAT ZECHARIAH 9:9 HAD WRITTEN LONG BEFORE, DAVID DECLARED THAT SOLOMON WAS TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR AND THAT HE WOULD RIDE ON DAVID'S MULE, (1 KINGS 1:33,38). DAVID'S GREATER SON NOW CAME ON A MULE TO WHAT ONCE HAD BEEN KNOWN AS THE "CITY OF DAVID", (2 SAMUEL 5:9; LUKE 2:11.)
SOON AFTER RETURNING TO JERUSALEM NEXT DAY, JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE, (11:15-19), THE JEWS WERE DESECRATING AND ABUSING IT. THEY CHARGED VISITORS TO JERUSALEM EXCESSIVE RATES TO CHANGE FOREIGN CURRENCY.
IN THE FINAL WEEK IN JERUSALEM A NUMBER CONFRONTATIONS TOOK PLACE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS OF THE NATION, THAT QUESTIONED JESUS ABOUT THE SOURCE OF HIS AUTHORITY, (11:27-33).
(MARK 8:27-30). IT APPEARED THAT THE DISCIPLES KNEW WHO HE WAS, EVEN IF THE NATION DID NOT. DID THEY?
WHAT PETER SAID WAS CORRECT. HIS UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST'S ROLE AS MESSIAH WAS WRONG. WHY? AFTER PETER'S "CONFESSION," FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARK'S GOSPEL. JESUS SPOKE ABOUT HIS APPROACHING SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION ( PASSION PREDICTION NUMBER 1). THIS WAS TO MUCH FOR PETER. HE REBUKED JESUS FOR SAYING SUCH THINGS. JESUS, IN TURN, ADDRESSED PETER IN STRONG TERMS, AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ON THE SIDE OF SATAN (8:33). HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO HIS DISCIPLES THAT IF THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH HIM, THEY MUST THROW IN THEIR LOT WITH A SERVANT KING. WHO DENIED HIM-SELF TO SPEND LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS. " TO BELONG TO JESUS MEANS STRIVING TO USE LIFE AS HE DID, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST." ( 8:34-38). THE DISCIPLES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND JESUS REFERENCE TO HIS COMING PASSION BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF A SUFFERING, DYING MESSIAH WAS COMPLETELY FOREIGN TO THEM. THEY LIKE THEIR CONTEMPORARIES, WERE LOOKING FOR A MESSIAH WHO WOULD USHER IN A GLORIOUS AGE OF MATERIAL PROSPERITY, POLITICAL PRIVILEGE AND FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN DOMINATION. POSSIBLY THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MESSIANIC AGE WOULD MEAN POSITIONS OF HONOR AND CONDITIONS OF AFFLUENCE FOR THEMSELVES. JESUS' TALK ABOUT CARRYING THE CROSS OF SERVANTHOOD IN EVERY SITUATION FELL ON CONFUSED AND DISBELIEVING EARS! JESUS CONTINUED BY STATING THAT WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME HIS DISCIPLES WOULD SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER '
(9:1). HE WAS REFERRING TO HIS APPROACHING CRUCIFIXION. JESUS THE SERVANT-KING, WAS AT HIS MOST POWERFUL IN MARCHING TO AND ENDURING, THE AGONY OF THE CROSS.
THE TRANSFIGURATION (9:2-8) RE-ENACTED THE "THEOPHANY" (APPEARANCE OF GOD). (EXODUS 24: 15-18). AS GOD ONCE MANIFESTED HIS GLORY AT SINAI, SO THE INCARNATE GOD MANIFESTED HIS GLORY TO THE DISCIPLES ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. THE CONCLUSION IS OBVIOUS. THE GOD ISRAEL HAD KNOWN AND WORSHIPPED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD HAD COME AMONG THEM IN JESUS CHRIST. THE WORDS, " LISTEN TO HIM." ECHO DEUTERONOMY (18:15) WHERE GOD PROMISED ISRAEL THAT AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES, HE WOULD RAISE UP ANOTHER PROPHET (JOSHUA) WHO WOULD LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISE LAND. THE NEW "JOSHUA" WOULD LEAD HIS PEOPLE INTO THE
ETERNAL PROMISED LAND.
AS THE GROUP WHICH WITNESSED THE TRANSFIGURATION DESCENDED THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TELL NO ONE WHAT THEY HAD SEEN UNTIL AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. HIS DISCIPLES WERE THOROUGHLY CONFUSED BY HIS REFERENCE TO RISING FROM THE DEAD. THE IMPORTANT OF THE QUESTIONS RELATING TO FAITH-SIGHT BECAME MORE APPARENT WHEN ONE OBSERVES THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH PASSION.
(1. PREDICTION BY JESUS OF HIS COMING PASSION.
(2. CONFUSION ON THE PART OF THE DISCIPLES.
(3. CLARIFICATION BY JESUS CONCERNING THE IMPLICATIONS OF MESSIANIC AGE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN IT.
JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM ON PALM SUNDAY. THOUGH HIS MODE OF ENTRY WAS HUMBLE, IT WAS NEVER-THE-LESS A SIGN AND AN ASSERTION, (11;1-10). WHEN A KING WENT TO WAR, HE RODE A HORSE. WHEN HE WAS ON A MISSION OF PEACE, HE RODE A DONKEY. THE CROWDS MISS THE POINT JESUS WAS MAKING; THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A WARRIOR KING. FURTHERMORE, THEY FORGOT WHAT ZECHARIAH 9:9 HAD WRITTEN LONG BEFORE, DAVID DECLARED THAT SOLOMON WAS TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR AND THAT HE WOULD RIDE ON DAVID'S MULE, (1 KINGS 1:33,38). DAVID'S GREATER SON NOW CAME ON A MULE TO WHAT ONCE HAD BEEN KNOWN AS THE "CITY OF DAVID", (2 SAMUEL 5:9; LUKE 2:11.)
SOON AFTER RETURNING TO JERUSALEM NEXT DAY, JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE, (11:15-19), THE JEWS WERE DESECRATING AND ABUSING IT. THEY CHARGED VISITORS TO JERUSALEM EXCESSIVE RATES TO CHANGE FOREIGN CURRENCY.
IN THE FINAL WEEK IN JERUSALEM A NUMBER CONFRONTATIONS TOOK PLACE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS OF THE NATION, THAT QUESTIONED JESUS ABOUT THE SOURCE OF HIS AUTHORITY, (11:27-33).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)